1925 Leamside Line
Thanks Annie.
Most mineral operations across the N.E.R. and later the N.E. Area of the L.N.E.R. were ad-hoc, determined by the orders received the previous day/overnight from the colliery agents for empty wagons and loads for collection. These would be forwarded to the sheds and yards where the foremen would allocate the locos, wagons, footplate crew and guards required to accomplish the day's work. Generally, there would be greater demand during the colder months of the year, but even then the workload varied. Minerals were moved from the collieries between 6 a.m. Monday and 2 p.m. Saturday, though periods of emergency could demand seven-day working.
Below, a TS12 shot. Circa 1924, Worsdell J27 0-6-0 number 2339 is on the Leamside line (
connecting Ferryhill on the E.C.M.L. to Pelaw on the Gateshead to Sunderland Line). The loco has empty coal hoppers the Adventure Pit, located to the north of Leamside station.
No. 2339 was built at Darlington in 1921, entering traffic in December that year. Turned out as a superheated engine. This was in vogue with the N.E.R. at the time. Twenty-five J27s were built with superheating between 1921 and 1922, with a further ten arriving in 1923. However, while longer distance and higher speed runs justified the expenditure on fitting the equipment, the nature of local mineral workings, with short runs, slow speeds and long periods standing around waiting in yards or colliery exchange sidings, meant that it was a waste of money on the J27s. Removal began from 1943, though five actually kept it until withdrawal between 1959 and 1963! (Nos. 65866 (2344/5866), 65871 (2349/5871), 65883 (2361/5883), 65887 (2384/5887) and 65890 (2388/5890). A further example, No. 65880 (2358/5880) probably kept it since the R.C.T.S. record was compiled in late 1966/early 1967 (page 182 of Part 5 reports: "it is anticipated that the J27 class will continue to work this traffic until 1968". The last J27 was withdrawn in September 1967.
A further